French collection offers photo preservation

DEAR SUN SPOTS: For all those readers who are interested in making the most of their old photographs, videotapes and 8-mm films, the University of Southern Maine’s Franco-American Collection will be hosting a program on Saturday, Nov. 6, entitled “Discovering the Power of Franco Photos.”

The event will feature a how-to introduction by Via-Vision’s Francis Gagnon on converting your old home movies to DVDs. There will also be a book signing and presentation by Maine author Dyke Hendrickson, author of “Franco-Americans of Maine,” a photographic catalog of Franco-American life from the 19th and 20th centuries, describing the importance of photographs to Franco-American cultural history.

In addition, the Franco-American Collection will be open before the presentations, so that visitors can browse the reading room. The collection would also like to invite donations of photographs showing scenes of Franco-American life, particularly photos featuring Franco businesses, societies, institutions, churches or events. If you’d rather not give up your photographs, the collection also has the ability to take digital copies of photos and returning the originals to their owners.

The collection will be open at noon; presentations will begin at 1 p.m. The venue will be room 170, Lewiston-Auburn College, 51 Westminster St., Lewiston. Light refreshments will be provided. There will be the opportunity to purchase signed copies of “Franco-Americans of Maine” and other materials; please bring cash or checks only. — James Myall, coordinator, Franco-American Collection, USM-LAC

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I’m sorry to ask you to repeat previously published information, but not too long ago someone told about a website that offered free craft patterns. I think it began with an “R” but can’t be sure. Of course I threw out that paper. Thanks for checking. — No Name via e-mail

ANSWER: Sun Spots thinks you mean www.ravelry.com.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I want to know about two things you previously printed. The first was about encyclopedias. I have some that were printed in the early 1950s.

The second thing is someone was looking for a reel-to-reel player. I also have one of those.

I would like to contact these people on my own, so if you could e-mail me back, I would be forever grateful. — Cheryl via e-mail

ANSWER: Sun Spots only answers questions through the column. Here are your answers.

The group that takes old books is the Edwin L. Hodges Ministry, based out of Alabama. The ministry sends Christian and educational material overseas to missionaries and seminaries. They take encyclopedias, but yours are rather outdated.

To donate, call Gina Mitchell at 897-3078, or e-mail [email protected] to discuss drop-off or pickup.

The reel-to-reel player was requested by Dale Polland, 743-2448.

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I sold a CD to a customer at the Farmington Fair on Sept. 22. It was only after he left that I realized there had been an error in making change because of the dim light. If he will call me at 897-4988, I would like to correct that error. — No Name, No Town

DEAR SUN SPOTS: I am researching the Millionaires football team from the Rumford area formed with men returning from World War II. This occurred in 1946 or ’47. I am looking for a team picture with names. — Michael Gaudin, [email protected], 364-3988

DEAR SUN SPOTS: The annual Christmas fair will be held at Barker Mill Arms, 143 Mill St., Auburn, on Saturday, Nov. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Community Room on the first floor. The will be refreshments, raffles, 50/50, homemade food and items, elephant table, etc. — No Name via e-mail

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